State of UniqueCobra.com

[pbrown]

Hi All,

First of all, I want to thank all of you for using and enjoying this site so much.

About the server:
The site has become somewhat less that stable of late and it needs to be rebuilt on new server hardware. I'm exploring two server options; 1) used Compaq Proliant hardware with redundant power, hard drives, fans, etc. and 2) a new Dell 400SC PowerEdge server. The Dell offers more speed but without any of the redundant features. Dell regularly offers web specials and I've been looking every day.

Bandwidth:
Bandwidth for this site it provided through my company. It is a point to point T1 to Internap. Internap offers the best bandwidth in the US today.

Reoccurring costs:
The only reoccurring cost is the annual renewal of the domain name. This cost is $35 per year.

Future:
Besides the new server hardware, I plan on creating a Unique registry that will be accessible from the Resources menu. Please let me know if you would like additional features.

Regards,

Patrick Brown

[casaleenie]

I'm happy with what we have but any additons would be great...
Can't thank you enough for all your effort....

al schafer

AL

[casaleenie]

I'm happy with what we have but any additons would be great...
Can't thank you enough for all your effort....

al schafer

AL

[Brent]

I second that. I love the forum and all of the information it contains as well as the personality of the members. I personally don't need any more bells and whistles on the site....just the site itself.

Thank you very much for all you do.

Brent

[Brent]

I second that. I love the forum and all of the information it contains as well as the personality of the members. I personally don't need any more bells and whistles on the site....just the site itself.

Thank you very much for all you do.

Brent

[Oldtimer]

I agree, the site is great and everyone involved with the Unique site. Thank you for all you have done, now, what can we do to help you?

Rich

[pgermond]

It has all been said, so Patrick, thanks and appreciation to you. With all the appreciative folks out there who use and enjoy this site I'm confident it will only get better for all of us unique Unique owners, as well of those contemplating a Unique Cobra. [^]

I urge anyone who isn't aware of the contents in the "About" section of this site to go there or read the following -

I started this site in mid 2002 as a means for owners of Unique replicas to meet and share ideas. The site has become a huge success and I am pleased to see as many members as we have today. The site is and will always will be free. That being said, many have expressed the desire to contribute to the site financially. For these users, a PayPal account has been created as a means to transfer funds. If you would like to contribute to the site, use the following link to access PayPal and send money to pbrown@sla.com. All funds sent to this account will be used exclusively to maintain and upgrade this site.

Please reference your forum user name in the transaction so that I can add the entry to the 'Friends of... ' page.

https://www.paypal.com
For those who prefer supporting our US postal service, my mailing address is:

Patrick Brown
c/o UniqueCobra.com
2841 NW 74th St
Seattle WA 98117



Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[Silk]

Patrick,

As a longtime user of this site, let me add my thinks for your efforts in making it happen. It’s become an invaluable resource for Unique owners and one that I look forward to reading on a regular basis. Hopefully, our contributions can defray your costs of a new server.

Gary
Unique FIA 351W

[dmiller]

a appreciate your efforts, and a contribution is in the mail.

thank you.

doug

[WBofTN]

"the check is in the mail" - thanks Patrick
WB

'93 Unique 427/351W/4sp

[clayfoushee]

OK people, it's reminder time. I just checked under the "ABOUT" button (all the way up, top bar), then "Friends of Unique Cobra" at the top to see how fund-raising was going for the new server which Patrick badly needs to keep this pasted together for all our benefit.

I was a little shocked to see the amount of money received so far....it ain't going to buy a new server, not even close. I'm willing to kick in more, but I wanted to see how this was going and how many would contribute.

In my very short time here, having just acquired a previously-built Unique, it has saved me at least $500 worth of having people unfamiliar with these cars looking at things, that I could take care of myself, if I just had some guidance. I can't even begin to put a value on the time it's saving me in trying to find the info elsewhere, like ClubCobra, where all the cars are so different. I've already called Alan, Jean, and Maurice so many times in 3 months, it's ridiculous. If we all did what I had been doing, they'd probably just disconnect the phone in Gadsen, AL.

If you're a user of this forum and just reading this for the first time, please scroll up to see various methods of getting donations to Patrick.

I hope those checks REALLY ARE IN THE "snail" MAIL!!!!!!


Clay

Unique 9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[pgermond]

Right on Clay!

But you have to remember.... It's called snail mail for a reason. I put my B. Franklin in the mail this past weekend (really.. I did), but evidently it hasn't hit Patrick's U.S.P.S. box yet. I'm hoping, along with you and many others, that we see a spike by the end of the week in the number of "Friends of UniqueCobra.com"

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[casaleenie]

I just got the address and I'll have the check in the mail tomorrow....
If we come up short I'm sure I'll be able to kick in a little more...

al schafer/casaleenie

AL

[Copper01]

Hi Patrick,

Perhaps it would be good if you could post a price range for the server equipment that's going to be required. This would give some of the folks an idea of the level of contribution they might want to consider.

Just a thought. :)


Ben
Unique 427
SA 427SO w/ Toploader
Guardsman Blue w/ White Stripes

[clayfoushee]

Patrick,

Please check your e-mail and call me on the number provided immediately!!!! I may have some good news.


Clay

Unique 9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[pbrown]

Everyone,

There are a couple of options I'm looking into for raplacement hardware.

My first choice is a used Compaq Proliant DL380G1 with redundant power, hardware RAID, and single 800Mhz processor. Compaq makes very reliable servers and getting replacement parts is very easy.

My second choice is to build a server from scratch starting with an Asus server motherboard, P4 2.0 Ghz processor, and 1GB of RAM.

I believe that both of these options are doable for about $1000. I've been searching Ebay.com daily is hopes of finding a server at a decent price.

Another option has come up in the form of a free Unisys server. We may not be able to go that route because we are not officialy listed as a not-for-profit. Unisys would need a letter that they could use for tax writeoff purposes.

--Patrick

[WBofTN]

Patrick:
If you go the free route - Then you have to buy all the beer & booze at
"Home Comming 2004"
Just Kiddin withya
WB

'93 Unique 427/351W/4sp

[pbrown]

Two more checks in the mail today. Thanks WBofTN and pgermond.

--Patrick

[pgermond]

<img src=images/icon_speech_yeah.gif border=0 width=29 height=15 alt=Insert Speech Icon: Yeah!> The US mail does work. Clay - nice bump at the end of the week, as hoped. I particular like the "Anonymous" contribution. That shows some class - wish I had though of it.

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[clayfoushee]

Good news Patrick. Hope one of your server options works out. I liked the anonymous touch too....wish I'd thought of that as well. Now I'm just wondering how that "guru" thing showed up as my avatar.

"Not a guru"

Clay

Unique 9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[pbrown]

The Friends of page has been updated. Can you guys look and make sure you are listed if you expect to be.

BTW - I have a new server. I'm working on it now.

--Patrick

[pgermond]

Hey, hey, hey :D:D:D

Looks like we have some pretty good action in the contribution department [^] It may not be my place to say this, but what the hell, I'll say it anyway - I hope everyone understands it is not the amount that is donated that is so important, it is the fact that you recognize the valuable resources that this site provides to Unique owners and you want to insure the sites accessibility / reliability.

So, there - That's my story and I'm sticking to it. ;)


Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[Brent]

Holidays got the best of me[8]

Sorry it took so long.

Sent via pay-pal tonight :D

Brent